Behind the push were English teacher Sarah Buck and French teacher Amy Sun, both of whom have helped students to take part in previous years, but never in this number.
While nearly 40 took part, many were involved in the group speaking for year 10 and below, representing an entire English class who recited Wilfred Owen’s World War I poem Dulce Et Decorum Est.
‘The students had studied World War One literature and performing the poem enabled them to demonstrate creatively, and with sensitivity, their understanding of such an important time in history,’ said Mrs Buck.
‘A number of students were hesitant at first, but they encouraged and supported each other to step out of their comfort zone and they were rewarded with a trophy for their efforts.’
Students Jesse Farrell, Zara de Sausmarez and Chloe Wooldridge, all 14, perhaps hoping for a future career in PR, drafted a statement to give to the Guernsey Press on behalf of the group.
‘Due to the serious nature of the poem it was imperative that we delivered it with sensitivity and maturity, which with the help of our wonderful English teacher Mrs Buck, we think we achieved,’ they said.
The group placed first in the class and earned the Invicta Trophy. There were 18 students representing the school across six individual and duo classes, and all but one came top of their class.
More students than ever before took part in the French classes, said Miss Sun, who said the whole department was incredibly proud of the students who devoted their lunchtimes to months of practice in order to perfect their pronunciation and interpretation.
Izabella Lucane, 13, and Eva Van Heerden, 12, both entered the same recitation class.
‘I did it last year and I came joint second and I just wanted to get better,’ said Izabella, who once again came joint second.
‘I haven’t done the French one before,’ said Eva.
‘You feel really nervous but when you’ve done it, even if it doesn’t go really well, you’re really happy you’ve done it.’
Mrs Buck said it would be good to see more high schools taking part in the annual event.
‘The Eisteddfod is a fantastic and well-run event.
'It’s always nice to have competition and for students to see how others interpret and present their poems,’ she said.
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